Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex -husband and former manager dies at 48

New York (AP)-Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and talent manager, died of cancer, his family said on Thursday. He was 48 years old. “Brandon has been fighting cancer for more than three years,” a representative of the Blackstock family shared in a statement to The Associated Press. “He died peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time. ‘ The news was first reported by People Magazine. Clarkson announced on Wednesday that she was postponing her “studio session” concerts in Las Vegas and writing on Instagram: “While I normally keep my personal life private, my children’s father has been sick in recent years and at this moment I have to be fully present for them.” Blackstock was the father of four children, including two from his former Marriageto Melissa Ashworth: Savannah and Seth. He has two young children at Clarkson: River and Remington. Blackstock became a grandfather in 2022 when Savannah bore a boy named Lake. Blackstock and Clarkson met in 2006 during a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards. They started dating in 2012, after she was reconnected in a Super Bowl, and married in October 2013. In 2020, she applied for divorce, citing incompatible differences and requested that she not need to pay Blackstock Spousal Support. The filing called for the legal family name of the singer to be restored to Clarkson and indicated that the couple had a marital agreement. The divorce was controversial, and finally completed in 2022. In 2024, the couple agreed to resolve lawsuits over millions of dollars that he allegedly loaded her too much while serving as her manager during their marriage. Blackstock also previously represented Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts. He started his career with Starstruck Entertainment, his father, Narvel Blackstock’s company. Land legend Reba Mcentire was previously married to Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015, and is the mother of Blackstock’s brother Shelby. Narvel Blackstock drove Clarkson before his son took over.